By Adam Crafton
Published: 00:36 BST, 2 June 2019 | Updated: 00:36 BST, 2 June 2019
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Thank goodness for Glenn Hoddle. The first-half of this Champions League final passed idly by without fire and brimstone, either on the field or in the commentary box on Saturday night.
Yet across living rooms up and down the country, punters would have debated the merits of the first-minute penalty awarded to Liverpool. Up in the gantry, perhaps the controversy came too soon, only 21 seconds into the game. Even Tottenham's own players seemed resigned.
Hoddle, eventually, was on hand at the interval and aghast to hear Rio Ferdinand's verdict. Ferdinand said: 'Moussa Sissoko's hand is up in the air and he is asking for trouble.'
Tottenham legend Glenn Hoddle was not happy with the award of an early penalty to Liverpool
Hoddle briskly replied: 'He's pointing to someone. It hits his chest first? Is that intentional? No way.'
Hoddle's bullets came thick and fast, injecting urgency. 'Harry Kane has done nothing in the game. He has to do more.'
Beforehand, Hoddle made the courageous call in response to Kane's inclusion in the starting XI following an ankle injury.
'I'd love to see him on the bench,' Hoddle said. 'He's just not going to last into extra-time. If it is 60 minutes and you see Kane coming on, you are worried.'
Hoddle joined Gary Lineker, Michael Owen and Rio Ferdinand in the studio for Saturday's final
Ferdinand threw the next punch: 'He ain't gonna be fit, I'd have liked to play against
